Troops of Operation MESA, comprising personnel from the 3 Brigade Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, and Police, have rescued seven kidnapped victims during a late-night operation in Yankamaye Cikin Gari village, Tsanyawa Local Government Area of Kano State.
The operation was launched following a distress call alerting the troops to bandits’ activities in the area. According to a statement by Captain Babatunde Zubairu, Assistant Director Army Public Relations, the bandits had earlier killed a 60-year-old woman before the arrival of security forces.
The statement added that four kidnapped individuals remain unaccounted for as troops pursued the fleeing bandits along their withdrawal route towards Rimaye, pushing them further into Kankia Local Government Area of Katsina State.
“Gallant troops of Operation MESA, while on fighting patrol on 29 November 2025 at about 2300 hours, received a distress call from Yankamaye Cikin Gari village in Tsanyawa LGA regarding bandits’ activities. The troops swiftly engaged the bandits and successfully rescued seven victims who had been kidnapped. Sadly, a 60-year-old woman was killed during the attack,” the statement reads.
The bandits fled towards Kankia LGA in Katsina State, and security forces continue efforts to track their location.
The Commander of 3 Brigade commended the troops for their bravery and rapid response and urged residents to continue providing credible information to support ongoing security operations.
